By Babatunde Ayedoju & Justus Adetomiwa
As primary and secondary schools continue their long vacation, parents and teachers have expressed divergent views on the growing practice of enrolling children in holiday lessons, with some describing it as essential for academic continuity, while others insist that holidays should be reserved for family bonding, rest and skill acquisition.
A school owner, Mr. Seun Ibitoye, advised parents to allow their children to engage in productive activities during the holiday instead of enrolling them in holiday lessons.
He recommended that children learn vocational skills such as barbing, shoe and bag making, playing musical instruments and other practical skills, saying that most of what they are taught during the holidays would still be taught when schools resume.
He also pointed out that skills could help children stand out in the present era, urging parents to prioritise skill acquisition during the long vacation.
A teacher, Mr. Paul Isah, recommended a balance between academics, rest and productive skill development during the holidays.
He said, “Over the years, I have come to believe that parents should pay close attention to what a child is naturally good at, what interests him or her, and what practical skills could be developed.
“The holiday provides an excellent opportunity to give the child room to explore and develop those abilities.”
Isah stated that children needed to develop practical skills alongside their classroom education to enable them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
He also noted that the holiday period should allow children to rest and prepare for the next academic session instead of being overloaded with topics they would still be taught when schools resume.
He emphasised that holiday revision should focus on strengthening the children’s foundation rather than simply racing ahead of the school curriculum.
A parent, Mr. Damola Ojenike, opined that education was not about academics alone, insisting that children needed to acquire skills that would put them on the right footing in life.
He advised parents to allow their children to explore during the long vacation instead of overloading them with excessive academic activities.
He said, “For example, in this clime, there is no school that teaches financial literacy. Let the children learn financial literacy, farming, football and other sports during the long holiday, instead of the same Mathematics and English they have been learning.”
A parent and mother of two, Mrs. Bose Ilori, criticised the increasing emphasis on holiday lessons, arguing that holidays should be dedicated to strengthening family relationships rather than extending classroom activities.
She said, “I don’t allow my children to enrol in holiday lessons. They have spent almost an entire term in school and deserve time to rest. Holidays are meant for families to bond, travel if possible, teach children life skills and create memories together.”
She added that parents often placed excessive academic pressure on children at the expense of their emotional well-being.
“Education is important, but childhood should not be all about books. During holidays, I encourage my children to read at home, help with simple chores, play outdoors and spend quality time with us. They return to school refreshed and more confident.”
On the other hand, a civil servant and mother of three, Mrs. Kemi Oso, said holiday lessons had become indispensable for working parents.
She stressed that the arrangement provided a safe and productive environment for children during working hours while helping to prevent learning loss.
She said, “As a civil servant, I resume work early every weekday. Holiday lessons make life much easier because I can drop my children off at school on my way to the office instead of taking them to my workplace or leaving them at home.”
She added that beyond convenience, the programme helped children remain mentally active, reiterating, “The long break can make children forget many things they learnt during the term. Holiday lessons help them revise, interact with their peers and prepare ahead for the next class.”
Similarly, a businessman, Mr. Chidubem Okpara, described holiday lessons as worthwhile, especially for pupils preparing for external examinations.
“The competition in education is increasing. A few weeks of revision and extra coaching can make a significant difference. As long as the lessons are not too stressful, I support them,” he said.